When he finally pulled out and flopped onto the bed next to me, I flattened and turned on my side to face him. I removed the scarf, and tears flowed from my eyes. For some reason, the sight moved me beyond measure.
“Talon…”
He opened his eyes and turned toward me. “Baby, don’t cry.”
“Don’t worry. They’re good tears.”
“I didn’t hurt you?”
I shook my head. “No, you didn’t hurt me. You never could.”
“I wish I could be sure of that. I came in here so fucking angry.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you where I saw the tattoo. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
He sighed, the agitation within him visibly returning. “You have no idea.”
“Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on. Tell me what this Nico Kostas means to you.”
“He’s the fucking devil.”
I nearly jerked off the bed. “Why would you say that?”
“I can’t get into it right now.”
I sat up. “Talon, my mother is dating this person. If he’s the devil you say he is, I need to know. I need to keep him away from my mother.”
“I thought you didn’t care much about your mother.”
“She’s still my mother. She gave me life. Seeing her lying there, so helpless, I’ve kind of had a change of heart. I want to see her recover. And if she recovers, I don’t want her hanging around with someone who’s a bad person.”
Talon shook his head. “Blue eyes, you have no idea.”
“Then tell me. Please. Just be honest with me. I can take it. I promise you.”
“I wish I could, Jade. I’m just not ready yet. But please, keep your mother away from him.”
“So far I haven’t had to worry about it. After you and I showed up at the hospital the other night, he left. Like I told you, he said he was going to Des Moines, and I haven’t seen him since.”
Talon cleared his throat. “I’m not surprised.”
“Why?”
“I can’t get into it. But I will find him, Jade. I will find him. I promise you that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Talon
She didn’t push me any further to talk about Nico’s tattoo, and for that I was grateful. But still, a look graced her beautiful face—a look that said she wasn’t letting this go. I didn’t expect her to. I knew her that well at this point.
She sat up and let out a moan.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She let out a chuckle. “Yeah, my ass is a little sore.”
“I’m sorry, blue eyes. You have to let me know if I get too rough. Maybe it’s time we talked about a safe word.”